MY LOVELY READERS! HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU SO!

It really has been so long. Ugh, I feel awful. I especially feel awful that I was really willing to leave you all hanging. But I have decided to continue, no matter how slow the pace will be.
I have a long list to give out thank yous to, so here it goes!

Thank you so much to Bellsluv, Aishu Hotaru, mamamu-yan, Prunes, akagami hime chan, SpiralWolf27, ThePoweOfRandomnes1, Forgetful Insanity, Tari Luinwe, shael1472, Awkward duck, Ray-ray0801711, animelover56348, PrimrosePotter95, EpicShadowNinja, MidnightYoshi67, Rainy-Round, Utau54, Fruit Coctail Samurai G, Erryn Lancaster, AmberBreath, Fuko Yao, HeavenHellanime, Mocking Melody, CuppyCakeMoo, and dinosaur5904 for all your wonderful favorites/follows/alerts. I love getting the notifications from them and it makes me so happy. They come often enough to keep me thinking about the story every time I check my email, and are part of the reason I started writing again.

And special thank yous to my reviewers, who told me what they wanted and how they felt and inspired me to come back after all this time and write more. Thanks so much to ThePowerOfRandomnes1, Forgetful Insanity, Nano1012, AmberBreath, CuteJayAnimeLover1, Joey Neylon D, Missy Moore, Startime101, khrciaossu, MeAFanfictionGirl, AnimeRomantic4Ever, and all the guests that stopped by to leave a review! You guys made me change my mind, and it's also because of you that I started writing this again. This part is full and complete, but the next two chapters (yes, I wrote THREE this time instead of one) have some work to be done on them because they're hasty. And you all know I hate being hasty.

So I've kept you lovelies waiting long enough. It's short but concise, and I hope to have more up soon! Love you guys and read on!


The following morning, while I was in class, a weird note lands on my desk. I don't know how it got there or who dropped it off, but it looked mysterious and suspicious. I tuck it into my bag for later reading as the teacher walks into class. I zone out, my thoughts on what I was going to be doing the rest of the day. When lunch hits I decide that I'll head to the cafeteria to eat, and when I get my food, I sit down by myself and pull out the note.

If you want your secrets to remain hidden, you will come to the student council room by no later than 3pm this afternoon. Otherwise I will show everyone what I have and ruin everything for you.

My heart races a bit at reading this. Someone knows something, huh? I guess it doesn't hurt to check it out. I continue reading.

If you tell anyone about this note, I will let everyone know the truth. And come alone. Don't let anyone follow you. Your life at this academy depends on you.

I sigh, tucking the note away and thinking about who had sent this note. Why were they threatening me? What was going on?

I stand up and throw away my food, my appetite gone. At around 2:45 I start making my way across the school campus and head toward the student council room, my mind and heart racing. I enter the room right before 3pm, and I see Maricella standing there. She's alone and the room is quiet. I groan inwardly...I don't want to be alone with her, but if she knows something, I need to fix it and shut her up quick.

Damn rich bitch.

"So you came. And even early. You are alone?" I nod, gesturing around me.
"There's no one else here." I say, and she rolls her eyes.
"Sit down. This will take a while. I have something to show you." She pulls out what looks like an iPad and puts it into my hands. The video is of the spring festival, right after Kyoya's father had hit him. He pulls me in, hands wandering all over me, then tugs at the shirt tucked in my pants. I hadn't even realized until now that this scene is extremely erotic, albeit the awkward ending. My face flushes.
"Where did you get this?" She smirks evilly.
"My cousin's family was visiting Japan during your festival. I wanted him to scope out the surroundings and see what dirt he could find. And this is what he found. Good stuff, no? I especially like the part where he tries to pull your shirt off and you freak out." I grit my teeth.
"What do you want, Maricella? Why are you blackmailing me?" She chuckles.
"Because you have something I want. You see, my father was tired of my lifestyle of parties and social gatherings back home. He decided that it was time for me to go out into the world and find something else to do. He said that without a marriage proposal I'm not allowed back home. And since your boyfriend's family is so very wealthy, the only one he will settle for is Kyoya." I stand up furiously.
"Why not one of his older brothers? Why him?" She shrugs.
"His brothers are too old and not nearly as attractive. I want him, and you're going to give him to me. In exchange, I'll let your sister continue her escapade with Tamaki Suoh and never let the footage and photos I have out into the world. You'll keep your sister happy and your life here at Ouran stays relatively the same. Give up Kyoya to me and you'll make everyone happy. How does that sound?" I feel a large lump drop into my stomach.

What should I do?

"Now, since I'm the kind person I am, I won't make you tell me now. I'll give you until Friday to decide. Three days is enough, right?" I gulp and sit down on the couch, unsure how to react. She walks to the door of the room and opens it.
"I'll be waiting here at the same time on Friday. If you don't come and tell me to my face that you have broken off your relationship with Kyoya Otori, I will release all of the photos and video I have immediately to Kyoya's father and every other family at this school. You, Haruhi and your sister will be run out of this school so fast you won't have time to say goodbye. So don't make this harder than it needs to be." She walks out and shuts the door, leaving me sitting there.

What should I do? Should I go to Tori and ask her what to do? Should I tell Kyoya?

No, I can't do that. I can't even tell my mother. They'll all say the same thing...that giving up my own happiness for the sake of others isn't right. But I can't ruin Tori's life here...she's happy here now, happier than she's ever been. I don't have the right to mess with her life, not to mention Haruhi's. There's so much more at stake here than just what I want.

Sure, I may have to lie and hurt Kyoya's feelings. But my sister will be happy and so will Tamaki, Haruhi and Hikaru. That's worth it, right? And it's not like I have that much longer here at Ouran. Hell, I could probably finish early and go to college.

How do I tell Kyoya? And what do I tell him?


When Thursday comes my stomach is in knots. It's taking everything in me to appear happy and normal. Inside I'm dying. I have to let Kyoya go today after school...I have to tell him that it's over. I even thought of a lie to tell him to make it easier than just "we're done."

I'll tell him that things have gone downhill for me and that he should leave me alone. That I don't like him at all anymore and that he should find someone else. I'm not good enough and never will be, and that he's jeopardizing my future by being with me. I don't want him anymore because he's no good for me and I'm no good for him.

When the last bell rings I'm startled. I had been painting in the art room this entire time and hadn't noticed the time. I was finishing up a project, and decided to take the most time possible. Delaying it made more time for me to mentally prepare myself.

"I thought you might be in here." I hear Kyoya's voice and have to swallow the urge to cry. He comes up behind me and hugs me, kissing my neck and jaw tenderly. I flush, loving the feeling of his lips on my skin.
"I just had a lot to clean up." I say softly, and he chuckles.
"That's alright. I'll wait for you by the car." He says, and I smile and nod. When he leaves I throw everything into the sink and sob.

That beautiful, perfect boy is going to be taken away from me, all because I was too stupid to realize that good things don't last forever. Real life isn't a fairytale...it's a god damned nightmare.

I get to the car and listen to his chatter on the way home. When we get back to the apartment, he walks me up. I sigh, then turn to him.

"Kyoya...we need to talk." I say sternly, and he gives me a look.
"What seems to be the problem?" I clear my throat, then sigh.
"I don't think this whole thing between us is going to work out anymore." I say, and his face falls.
"What do you mean, Maria?" I swallow and continue, maintaining a straight face as best as I can.
"I don't like you like that anymore. I've felt this way for...a couple of weeks now. It's just not like it used to be." I say, and he pushes me against the door. It jars me, startling me.
"What the fuck does that mean?" I sigh, watching the emotions run through his eyes, my heart beating. I'm trying so hard not to cry. This probably sounds like some sick joke to him.
"Being with you jeopardizes my future. I could get kicked out of Ouran because of you, and I don't want that. I have to think about me, and realizing that turned me off of you. You're just a pretty face with a lot of money." I say, and he slams the door.
"Shut the fuck up. You can't be serious about this. At least let me prove you wrong. Don't just...walk out on me." His eyes go from anger to hatred to pain. He's hurting just as much as I am.
"I'm no good for you, Kyoya. Your father will never approve. It's best to stop it before it gets too serious. Like, what you said at New Year's...about me falling in love with you...that's too much for me. I don't want that." He steps back and runs his hand through his hair.
"Then I won't try to make you love me. Look, Maria, I don't want to force you into a corner. Do what you want, but please don't leave me. I've never been happier than when I'm with you." I feel my heart tug at hearing this. I feel a single tear slip down my face but manage to maintain my composure.
"No, Kyoya. This is over. We can still be friends, but our relationship is over. Now go home, I have work to do." I say, opening the door and shutting it swiftly before locking it.
"God dammit Maria, don't you run away from me like this! Talk to me! Please, Maria! Maria!" I walk away from the door and then break into a run into my room, shutting and locking the door before throwing myself onto the bed and breaking down. I sob loudly, crying, tears streaming down my face.

I guess life never wants to do anything but make me happy and then tear me down. I can't be happy.


Well that's that! Like I promised I'll have more up soon. Oh, and yes, I did change my pen name, but don't mind that. I'll always be B-chan or Mari-chan for you guys 3